Super Mario Galaxy is a 3D Mario platformer and action/adventure game developed for the Wii.
Easy to Play
Great Graphics/Art
Great Music
Click a title to learn more about each topic.
Story & Themes
The story of Super Mario Galaxy begins as Mario is heading toward Princess Peach's castle for the Star Festival. However, the revelry is interrupted when Bowser arrives on his spaceship and kidnaps Peach by lifting her castle into space. In an attempt to rescue her, Mario is launched into space where he finds allies: a mysterious woman named Rosalina and her star-like friends, the Lumas. In order to save Peach, Mario must collect Power Stars from various planets in order to power the Comet Observatory, which will allow them to travel to Bowser's location.
Rosalina, a female character, is considered one of the most developed characters in the Mario franchise. Her backstory can be learned through unlockable chapters in her storybook, which is found in the Observatory's library.
Save Points
The game will offer you the chance to save after completing every level. Players can also choose the option "save and quit" in the pause menu.
Difficulty
Super Mario Galaxy's controls and mechanics aren't too difficult to master, but for younger kids or those who are having trouble, the game does allow for a simplified second player in the Co-Star Mode. The second player in this mode has control over a cursor (Star Pointer) instead of a character, and thus can only gather Star Bits, help Mario to jump higher, and freeze certain enemies by holding the A button.
Heads Up!
Violence Super Mario Galaxy features typical Mario-level violence. Mario attacks enemies by jumping on their heads or using his spin attack.
Consumerism Super Mario Galaxy is a part of the massive Mario Bros. franchise, so some consumerism is implicit. However, there are not any microtransactions or the like in the game.
Discrimination Princess Peach in Super Mario Galaxy is a prime example of the damsel in distress trope. She exists solely to be saved, and plays no larger part in the story. However, Rosalina is a much more positive and nuanced portrayal of a female character.
Conversation Starters
- Which planet is your favorite? Why?
- What did you think of Rosalina's story? How would you define the word "family"?
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